Switzerland,
one of Europe’s perennially popular travel destinations, has fascinated
American travelers ever since the days of the legendary Grand Tour. While its
reputation for après-ski chicness, Heidi-like mountain villages and outstanding
world-class hotels is renowned among tourists, if you peel back the promotional
veneer you’ll discover a multi-faceted destination that transcends the
tourist-brochure hype and provides a world of experiences for the more
sophisticated traveler.
For those
travelers, here are the top tourism destinations in Switzerland, as reported by
Switzerland Tourism.
Top 10
Places to visit in Switzerland
1. Zurich
Zürich lies
not only in the heart of Europe but also in the hearts of those who have made
the city
the top destination in Switzerland. Set on the northern shores of Lake
Zürich with a magnificent view of the snowcapped Alps on the horizon, Zürich’s
multicultural flair and variety of leisure activities makes it popular with
travelers from all over the world.
The city’s
downtown offers a unique mixture of attractions – over 50 museums and more than
100 art galleries, shops selling international fashion labels as well as Zürich
designs, and the most flamboyant and lively nightlife in the country.
Recreational activities range from sailing on the lake in the very heart of the
city, to a spectacular hike on the Uetliberg Mountain.
The city is
easy to reach, by train, plane or car. Its international airport is only a
10-minute train ride from downtown and Zürich’s Main Railway Station is regarded
as a central European railroad hub.
2. Geneva
Set between
nearby Alpine peaks and the hilly terrain of the Jura, French-speaking Geneva
lies in the bay where the Rhone leaves Lake Geneva. With its humanitarian
tradition and cosmopolitan flair, Geneva is the European seat of the United
Nations and headquarters of the Red Cross, adding to its reputation as the
“Capital of Peace.”
Travelers
find the city’s old town, with its quays, lakeside promenades, elegant shops,
parks and lively side streets, an inviting place to stroll. The famous Jet
d’Eau, a fountain with a near-500 foot-high water jet that is set in Lake
Geneva, is an icon of the city.
Culturally,
this city on the westernmost fringe of Switzerland has much to offer. International
artists perform in the Grand Théâtre and the Opera House, and there’s a diverse
range of museums including — what else —
the Musée international de l’horlogerie, a watch museum with a collection of
jewelry watches and musical clocks.
3. Lucerne
To many
travelers Lucerne is the essence of Switzerland. The gateway to central part if
the country, it sits picture-perfect on Lake Lucerne, set below a beautiful
panorama of the Alps.
Add to this
picturesque setting a car-free old town with gable paintings; a covered,
medieval bridge in the center of town (one of the oldest covered wooden bridges
in Europe); historic houses decorated with frescoes; and charming town squares,
and you’ll understand why Lucerne is perennially popular. But the traditional
also stands side-by-side with modernity here, and the town has earned a
reputation for innovative design. The futuristic Culture and Convention Centre
(KKL), designed by leading French architect Jean Nouvel, is one the
architectural highlights of the town.
Outside
Lucerne you’ll find beautiful views on a trip up one of its nearby mountains,
and enjoy a great experience on a steamship cruise along the beautiful lake.
The city is a good starting point for excursions about central Switzerland.
4.
Interlaken
Interlaken,
in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland Region between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, is
presided over by the three mighty mountains: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Interlaken
is considered the adventure capital of Switzerland and its more than 45
mountain railways, cable cars, chair lifts and ski lifts lead the adventurous
to 150 miles of slopes and a dense network of hiking trails. Every day in the
winter season, visitors benefit from the city’s central location by being able
to choose from several different area ski regions.
In the
warmer months those who like to paraglide head for Beatenberg-Niederhorn, a
popular area just 7 miles away. Those with less lofty ambitions enjoy cruises
on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz aboard excursion boats, including historic paddle
steamers.
5. Lake Geneva Region
The Lake
Geneva Region, encompassing Lausanne. Lauvaux and Montreux, has two UNESCO
World Heritage Site listings and is the fifth most popular area of Switzerland.
The setting
of Lausanne is so picturesque it’s not surprising the International Olympic
Committee has been based here since 1914. The town, built on three hills, is
surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, with Lake Geneva at its feet and the
Savoy Alps of France across the lake. The attractive old town, dominated by the
cathedral regarded as Switzerland’s most impressive piece of early Gothic
architecture, is filled with cafes and boutiques shaping the streetscape in the
medieval city center.
Nearby
Lavaux is a wonderful world of vineyard terraces. At 800 hectares it is
Switzerland’s largest contiguous vineyard area with terraces that not only
offer magnificent views, but also produce such fine wines as St-Saphorin, Dézaley
and Epesses. Travelers can taste them on visits to one of the charming pintes,
mini-restaurants typical of the Lavaux.
Montreux,
home of the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival that takes place annually in
June/July, is surrounded by vineyards set against the breathtaking backdrop of
snow-covered Alps. Because of the exceptionally mild climate many plants
associated with the Mediterranean, such as pines, cypresses and palms grow
here.
6. Basel
Bisected by
the Rhine, and nestled between Germany and France, Basel is the third largest
city in Switzerland. Given its geographical position it should come as no
surprise that a diversity of cultures, a multifaceted history and modern art
and architecture converge here.
Travelers
know the city for its historic landmarks, including the large market square
with its richly decorated red sandstone town hall and the late
Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. Basel is known as “The City of Art” and its nearly
40 museums give it the highest density of museums in the country. Among them
are the internationally known Basel Art Museum, the museum devoted to the iron
sculptor Jean Tinguely, the Fondation Beyeler and the Museum of Cultures, all
of which attract a great many visitors, as do several galleries and playhouses
and its symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra and musical theatre featuring
international productions.
The yearly
Fasnacht (Carnival) is the most important celebration for the people of Basel.
On the Monday following Ash Wednesday the city rises with the “Morgenstraich,”
a colorful and brilliant procession through the streets of the city that begins
when the lights of the city are extinguished at exactly 4:00am..
7. Zermatt
In the
Valais region of Switzerland, popular Zermatt lies at the foot of Matterhorn,
the most photographed mountain in the world. Its location in the middle of an
enormous hiking and ski region makes it one of the world’s most attractive
vacation villages.
The ski
region encompasses 63 mountain railways and more than 200 miles of slopes. The
region called “Matterhorn Glacier Paradise“ is Europe’s largest and
highest-lying summer skiing region, a place where many national ski teams train
in the summer.
The region
is also legendary amongst mountaineers: the Haute Route, a challenging
international route that takes several days to complete, leads from Mont Blanc
to Zermatt. Over 400 kilometers of hiking trails lead through and out of the
Matter Valley, including the mule traders’ trails, which date back to the 13th
century.
Zermatt’s
hotels and restaurants are world-class and the air is clear, dry and clean –
likely due to a law enacted in 1947 that allows only electric cars without a
combustion engine to operate in the village.
8. Engadin St. Moritz
Located at
1,800 m above sea level in the alpine canton of Graubünden, and blessed with
322 days of sunshine a year, the 13 towns and villages of the Engadin St.
Moritz region enjoy a gloriously mild microclimate. Travelers are lured here by
a unique combination of chic atmosphere, authentic village tradition and
unspoiled nature. The Upper Engadin provides spectacular mountain views, a
seemingly endless expanse of lake plateau and, to some, a magical quality in
the light.
The area has
a fascinating cultural heritage – while Romansch is its official main language,
German is spoken in St. Moritz, Italian in the neighboring valleys, French at
the Club Med and a lot of English at the Cresta Run, a ¾ mile long toboggan
track that winds its way from St Moritz down past the tiny hamlet of Cresta, to
the village of Celerina.
9. Bern
Of all of
Switzerland’s cities, Bern, the capital city, is perhaps the most immediately
charming. Crammed onto a steep-sided peninsula in a crook of the fast-flowing
River Aare, its quiet, cobbled lanes are lined with sandstone arcaded buildings
that have changed little over the past 500 years with the exception, perhaps,
of the addition of modern shop signs and the odd car or tram rattling past.
The hills
all around, and the steep banks of the river, are still heavily wooded. The old
town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks in part to its four miles
of arcades, which the locals refer to as “Lauben,” making it the longest
weather-sheltered shopping promenade in Europe. Views of the area, especially
of both the Old Town’s clustered roofs and of the majestic Alps on the horizon,
are beautiful.
10. Ticino
The
Mediterranean region seems to begin on the southern side of the Alps in Ticino.
There is a feel of Italy here, with palm trees and citrus trees scattered
about, and streets winding their way down to little piazzas. This is
Switzerland’s only Italian-speaking canton and here the Italian love of food,
wine and la dolce vita somehow finds harmony with the Swiss respect for
regulations and rules.
The city of
Bellinzona, capital of the canton, and the valleys of Upper Ticino are
beautiful and home to a rich gastronomy, fascinating art and wide stretches of
unspoiled nature. Bellinzona’s three castles, defensive wall and ramparts of
the old market town are listed as World heritage Sites by UNESCO. The city of
Lugano, set on the lake of the same name, is Switzerland’s third financial
center.
The Lake
Maggiore region is exceptionally rich in contrasts and packed with variety –
from the palm-lined lakeshores to glaciers, chic shopping and ancient
traditions. The lakeside town of Locarno enjoys what is probably the best
climate in Switzerland, with nearly 2300 hours of sunshine a year and an
average annual temperature of 60°F. The town has several cultural events,
including an international Film Festival.
The
Mendrisiotto Region of Ticino s particularly well known for the delicious food
and wine. At its traditional inns (called grotto) you can taste a wide variety
of Ticino specialties and wines produced in the region.
And one additional…
11. Appenzell
The village
of Appenzell and the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden are situated in a
singularly beautiful landscape of rolling hills. The region is known for rural
customs and traditions such as the ceremonial descent of the cattle in autumn
and cultural events such as folk music and rustic dances, as well as hiking and
biking tours in the Alpstein region.
With about
7,000 inhabitants, Appenzell is the political, economic and cultural center of
Appenzell Innerrhoden, the smallest Swiss canton. The car-free village beckons
with pretty lanes and a myriad of small stores and boutiques that are ideal for
shopping and browsing. The facades of the buildings are decorated with
frescoes. Appenzell Museum, which is in the town hall, shows a cross section of
Appenzell’s history and culture.
A dense
network of hiking trails crisscrosses the hilly landscape of Appenzell. The
Alpstein region with 2500-meter-high rock formations lends itself to
challenging hiking tours and climbing trips. Approximately 200 kilometers of
cross-country tracks and three popular ski areas beckon in the winter.
About PRABISH BISHUNGKHE
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